Moving to Chicago from South Alabama..yep!

[Lookout Kid]

Those 180s ear muffs have been big in recent years (for guys that don't want to mess up their hair with a hat). When it gets into the single digits these just won't cut it, however.

[halnchad1]

Its a good thing he loves hats...and I do too (but only cute ones lol)

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Layers? Not really a necessity unless you have to walk/be outside for extended periods of time.

I understand what you're saying, you don't need to be buried in layers of heavy clothes all the time, but for me layering is always the way to go.

If it is 45 degrees in the morning I'll wear something like a t-shirt, heavy shirt, sweater, and a leather jacket. If it ends up being 60 later in the day (which is pretty common) I can lose the sweater and heavy shirt and still be comfortable. If it ends up going down to 25 later in the day (less common, but does happen) I always have some gloves and a hat in my bag and can just add those and deal with it easily. As it gets colder the mix of layers changes and gets thicker, as it gets warmer it gets lighter. The main thing about layering is that you can adjust and be perfectly comfortable in many conditions, and there are many days where the temps can vary widely.

[halnchad1]

Thanks.

[nessatar]

I always wear layers. Not because it is so cold outside in winter (although it can be, of course), but it is always so hot inside. Just like it is always freezing indoors in the summer and I usually carry a sweater on 80 degree days... it's always sweltering indoors in the winter and I am miserable if I can't remove a layer!

[halnchad1]

Yea, I think Im going to be a layer-er.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by halnchad1

Yea, I think Im going to be a layer-er.

You should only be concerned with that in early spring and late fall, and here's why.... Winter temps are pretty constant (read:cold). Expect normal highs in the 30s/40s, lows in the 20s/teens. IOW, watch the weather report and dress for it accordingly. You dont need to dress in layers, expecting it to be cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon and then freezing again at night, that doesnt barely ever happen. Early spring and late fall are rollercoaster rides. One day it can be 80 degrees and at night a major cold front come through and push it into the 30s/40s. Or it could be 40 degrees in the morning in October and then hit 80 in the afternoon. Those are the days that layering makes sense.

Bottom line? Watch the weather reports and dress accordingly. I highly recommend you bookmark Tom Skilling's page. He is regarded as the best meteorologist in the world, we're lucky to have him here in Chicago!

Here, this will be your best friend and will teach you how to dress day by day.
http://weather.chicagotribune.com/US...RD.html?main=1

[halnchad1]

Thank you Steve-o. That helps and I will bookmark that page.

[mattywo85]

Sweaters, gloves, scarfs, and heavy winter coats. The winters here can be a brutal from what your used too.

[Petronilla]

I hope you dont enjoy outdoor activities too much! I was too miserable to be outside for more than 10 minutes at a time for about six months straight... and as an equestrian, this was my worst nightmare..
I never wore a lot of layers because I hate being bundled up.. Plus you need a different coat for the car and another one for the walk to the car